'More women are engaging male escorts, I am curious as to why'

By Georgie Wolf

7 November 2018 — 10:20pm

It is 5.45 on a Tuesday night and I’m pacing the floorboards of my apartment, watching the clock.

I’m wondering if I’ve forgotten something crucial during my frantic tidy-up. Dishes washed? Check. Mood lighting? Check. Condoms in my dresser drawer? Check. This is not a case of typical pre-date anxiety, because this date is not a typical encounter. Tonight, I’m expecting a visit from a male escort.

Male sex workers for female clients are becoming more commonCredit:Stocksy

You may be surprised that a younger woman would seek out the company of a paid sex professional. But recent studies have revealed an emerging trend: increasingly, Australian women are choosing to spend time with male escorts.

I’m about to find out why.

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In Australia, male sex workers for female clients are becoming more common. A 2017 Queensland University of Technology study found a quarter of Australia’s 516 male escorts cater to women and couples. A media release from the university says the results suggest "a significant emerging market for women who pay for sexual services from men".

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As a sex worker myself, I’m accustomed to the idea of paid sexual services. But, in a culture where women are typecast as sexually passive, how is it that are so many are deciding to pursue sex in such a forthright manner, parting with hard-earned cash in the process? I’m going to have to wait to find out. It won’t be long – my escort has just rung the doorbell.

Brad Pierce is 25 and hails from Adelaide. He’s the kind of guy who looks as though he’s out of everyone’s league: young, fit and sharply-dressed. The moment he arrives, my social skills evaporate.

“Hi,” he says.

First, I’m too nervous to speak, then I’m speaking too much – chattering inanely as I pour him a scotch. Is this self-consciousness normal? Will I feel too awkward to enjoy myself? Brad handles the situation with professional grace, guiding me to the sofa.

Then it’s time for some serious questions. “Do you have a typical sort of client?” I ask.

I’m hoping he’ll tell me that I’m his youngest, most attractive customer, but according to Brad his clients are diverse.

“Honestly, there’s no typical client," he says. "Sometimes it’s older women, but I also see young women who’ve just gotten out of relationships, who want to feel sexy and get their confidence back.”

And what’s the most important skill in those situations?

“I think it’s counselling. Knowing how to listen to people is so important.”

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His dark eyes gaze into mine. I’m falling for his strong-but-sensitive persona. But, unlike a typical date, he’s not making the first move. “I like to let my clients set the pace,” he says. It’s left to me to suggest we move to the bedroom.

As for the sexy stuff, does our encounter fulfil my needs? Without going into details, I can confidently say that when he leaves, we both have smiles on our faces. Although my wallet is lighter, I’ve gained something from the session: not just a physical experience, but also an emotional one. This might surprise you – there’s often an assumption that seeing an escort is about sex, not feelings – but, the truth is, I do feel gratitude, affection and intimacy. It’s a reminder that emotional connection is possible, even during a short encounter.

My date with a male escort proves thought-provoking. Was it just casual fun, or is there significance in seeking out an experience that centres on my own desires? I suspect the latter, and it’s empowering.